There was another 'Beach party' in Truro, N.S., last Saturday night as the Truro Harness Horse Owners and the Nova Scotia government celebrated
the Somebeachsomewhere saga.
Brent MacGrath, the Truro car salesman who trained the world champion pacer, was the guest speaker at the TTHOA awards banquet, which saw the Schooner Stable honoured.
Brent was joined by stable members Stu Rath and Jamie Bagnell for a night that honored the accomplishments of the Mach Three stallion, who earned more than $3 million in his career. Nova Scotia Finance Minister Jamie Muir presented a proclamation from the province recognizing Somebeachsomewhere’s O’Brien and Dan Patch awards as 2008 Horse of the Year in both Canada and the United States.
Close to 250 in attendance were treated to an insider report by MacGrath, complete with videos, on how Somebeachsomewhere’s career progressed. The Schooner Stable provided souvenir programs for the occasion as well as numerous door prizes. The silverware and coolers won by Somebeachsomewhere were on display during the evening.
The Truro horsemen also took the opportunity to recognize veteran trainer-driver Phil Pinkney, winner of the O’Brien Award of Horsemanship. Phil also owned and campaigned the 2009 2-Year-old Pacing Colt Deep Finesse, who led all North American two-year-old pacing colts with 15 wins.
Darren Crowe won his second straight driver of the year award at Truro while Nicholas White was the trainer of the year. David Fillmore of Caneast Standards and Steve Morton were the recipients of Horse Owner of the Year award.
Tammy MacKay was the Horseperson of the Year.
Other award winners
Aged Pacing Horse: Samspace, owned by Dennis Baxter and Arthur Turple.
Aged Pacing Mare : J M Kimberley, owned by Owen Fletcher.
2-year-old pacing filly: Semjac Legacy, co-owned by Murray Smith and Iola MacMillan.
Trotter of the Year: Grayland Bling, owned by Paul Gray, Pugwash, N.S.
3-Year-Old pacing filly: Hermione Benka, owned by Jeff Hennigar, Truro.
3-Year Old pacing colt U Smooth Talker U, owned by Wayne Whebby of Dartmouth.
Most Improved Horse: Majestic Reins B, owned by Janice Johnstone, Truro.
Claiming Horse of the Year: Ace The Test, owned by Heather Gatti, Darren McDonald, Hollis White and Bentley Webb,
Claiming Mare of the Year: Roady Ryan, owned by Gerald Alexander, Sussex, N. B.
(Atlantic Post Calls)